heskett



June 1,1926. 1,586,804

A. J. HESKETT BRICK MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l N V EN TOR:

ATTORNEY.

June 1 1926. 1,586,804

A. J. HESKETT BRI CK MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y. Fig. Z

W] INVENTOR:

fir a/d J Hake/f A. J. HESKETT BRICK MACHINE June 1 ,1926. 1,586,804

Fi ed Fe 6, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTO RNE Y.

Patented June 1, 1926.

ARNOLD J. HESKETT, or nnx, onneon'.

BRICK MACHINE.

Application filed February 26, 1925. Serial No. 11,638.

This invention relates to machines for making bricks, concrete blocks and other similar articles. For convenience in illustrating I have herein described the machine for making bricks, but it is to be understood that my invention may be applied also to machines for manufacturing blocks out of concrete and other similar material, for building and other purposes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved means for feeding the concrete into the molds and also for removing; from the upper surface of the blocks the surplus material after the tamping' process has been finished. Another object of the in vention is to provide means for conveniently finishing the upper surface of the bricks and also the forward ends of the bricks after they have been tamped. Another object is to provide improved power means for carrying out the various operations of the machine and to do this rapidly and automatically. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a cmisideration of the accompanying drawings and the :ltollowing description thereof:

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a brick making machine which embodies features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of some of the molds of the machine; Fig. 4; is an elevation of the forward end oil. the molds with the end plate raised; and Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modilied application of the machine. The drawings are more or less diagrammatic.

In carrying out my invention any suitable form of brick or block making machine may be used as a basis; that is thegeneral principle involved and the general frame work and other structures may be similar to brick making machines in ordinary use. One of the. improvements which I have made to the ordinary machines relates to the tflll'lPGlS. This isnot new itself, except as the particular means which I use coaots with the other features of the machine; and this coaction relates particularly to means for elevating the tampers suiliciently to allow convenient processing of the upper surfaces of the bricks after the tamping is finished, and to automatic means between the tempers and other elements. Another improvement is the addition of a slidable hopper which suitably coacts with a fixed hopper and. also with the molds, and means for bringing about these coactions. Another improvement is the provision of suitable means for operatin g the sliding blades which are used to form the sides of the brick molds and also for operating the front end plate of the molds.

The machine comprises a frame 10 which, in this instance, is adapted to support means for forming ten brick molds. In the making; of bricks according to the process to which my machine is particularly adapted the bricks are made of semi-dry concrete and certain surfaces are processed and the bricks are removed from the machine substantially as soon as they are tamped. As a consequence of this the material does not set before the bricksare removed; and in order to remove the bricks from the molds the mold sides must he slidably removed from the bricks. The bottom of the molds comprises a pallet 11 which is supported normally on the forward end of the framework 10 between plates 12 and 13 which. form the front and rear ends of the molds. The rear plate 13 fixed to the frame 10 and the front plate 19, is movably mounted thereon. In the rear plate 13 there are slots 1a which are adapted to receive blades 15, the forward ends of which form the sides of the mold plates, these blades are slidably mounted in the frame 10, and are arranged to be moved forwardly through the slots 14-, to form the molds and rearwardly when the bricks are to be retrieved from the machine.

In operating, the molds are formed by the end plates 12 and 13 and the blades 15 and the palletll. These molds are tilled with concrete and with some surplus on top, and the concrete then tamped in some suitable manner, such as by means of the tamper-s 18, until the concrete is su'liiciently packed in the molds. The surplus concrete is then removed from the upper surface of the molds and bricks, and the upper surfaces of the bricks are then finished in any desired manner.

In order to properly position the blades 15 they are slidably mounted in the frame it) and are mnnected at their rear ends by means of a cross plate 20. For the purpose of operating these blades I prefer to provide hydraulic means which are set in motion by the operator by means of a suitable lever. The cross piece 20 of the machine is operated, in thi instance, by means of a piston 21 mounted in the cylinder 22. By means .of the :operating handle 23tlie valve 2d of the cylinder is operated, and a liquid under pressure, preferably oil, .fiows through the pipe 25 into the cylinder and thus operates the blades 15. hen the handle 23 is pushed rearwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 2, the piston 21 and the blades 15 will be pushed forwardly and the blades will be in the exact positions for forming the molds, if the adjustment is right, as the piston will be pushed until it strikes on the forward end of the cylinder.

For feeding the concrete into the molds {I provide a fixed hopper 26 which maybe of any suitable size "or shape, but I prefer to have the sides of the hopper diverge somewhat downwardly so as to allow the concrete to pass out jfree'ly. An auxiliary slida ble or portable hopper 27 is positioned normally beneath the hopper 26 and forms an extension of -'this1hopper-as 'the fixed hopper has-110 bottom. The hopper 27 is, large enough to hold the amount of concrete -required-to fi ll the molds and to provide the required amount of surplus. Normally the bottom of the hqpper-27 is closed by a plate 128 fixed to the frame 10, and, as the hopper 27 i's-moved --forwardly, the bottom of the hopper 261s closed by a plate 29 fixed to the hopper -27.

In operation, after the molds are formed for receiving the concrete, by placing the pallet 11 on the frame and moving the blades 15 forwardly and properly position- I the end plate 1 2,'the hopper 27 is forced forwardly, carrying with it the plate 29 which .closes the bottom of the hopper 26. llhe concrete in the hopper 27 then passes downwardly int the molds,.and the concrete is then suitably tan'i'ped. The hopper '27 isthen forced rearwardly, carrying with it any surplus concrete, .and 'by means of the forward lower edge, smoothing off the up per surfaces of the bricks in the molds.

The upper end of :the hopper -26 opens into a concrete mixing chamber -30, or other suitable chamber for receiving mixed conc ete.

When the ,portable hopper has been removed steps are taken, if desired, forfur- .Qther processing the upper and forward surfaces .of the bricks. in order to process the the end surfaces are being proces.

.end plate 12 and allowing: it to rest on the upper forward edges of the blades. as indicated 111 l igi t. Any suitable means may be proviced for accomplishine this. but l:

prefer the following means: The end plate is pivoted to the outer side plates if) by means of bars 35, Fig. 3, one on each side of the machine. ldllCll of these bars has two flanges 36 and 37 fixed thereto through which passes a rod 40. This rod alsopasscs loosely through the end plate 12 and the end plate is thus 'tiltable with reference to the red. but a spring 38 at all times tends to tilt the plate with reference to the rod to a definite angle" determined by the angle between the rod all and the rear surface of the nut on the outer end of the rod, as the springs tend to hold the outer side of the plate flat against the nut. A :iepring :19, mounted on the rod l0 between the flange '36 and a nut 41, at all times tends to force the rod 40 rearwardly and, hence, when the end plate is raised above the ends of the blades 15, these springs will force the end plate rearwardly until the front surface of the plate is substantially flush with the ends of the blades 15 and hence w th ends of the bricks. The nut el-l and flange 3? limit the rearward. movement of the plate. The end plate thus protects the upper surfaces of the bricks from injury when hen it is desired to remove the bricks or to process the ends thereof, the end plate l2 may be elevated manually by means of a handle 42 and allowed to rest on the upper ends of the blades 15. .llut in order to remove the end plate more conveniently and quickly I prefer to provide a cylinder 4 having therein a piston to which is fixed the piston rod l4. hen, by means of a pedal 45., the valve of the cylinder is operated the end plate will be pushed upwardly by the piston rod, and the plate will be moved to its proper position on the upper surface ol the bricks, as hereina'bove described. lVhen the pedal is released the valve of the cylinder 43 will again be operated by means of a spring 4-6 acting; on the lever 4:7, and the piston rod l l, with its frame l-S. will then be removed downwardl out of the way of the ends of the bricks.

\Vhcn the bricks are to be removed. the

plate 12 will he forced rcarwardly with the blades i5, and will come to rest rearwardly of the rear ends of the bricks, but in front ill) of the portable hopper 27. \Vhenthe molds are to be formed again the plate will be forced forwz'rrdly with the blades 15, and the plate may be placed. in its normal position by manually pulling it forwardly, and then forcing; it downwardly in front of the ends of the blades.

In order to operate the hopper by power means I provide the cylinder 50 which is adapted to operate a piston stem 51 fixed to the central portion of a plate 2 the ends of which are comiected to brackets 53 slidably mounted on guide rods The braokets are tired to the hopper by means of bars 55, the hopper being slidably mounted on the bars by means of bearings 56. Any suitable means may be used for operating the valve of the cylinder 50 at the proper time. For this purpose I provide the lever 57 which is operatively connected to the valve rod 58 by means of a link 60. When the lever is pushed rcarwardly, the valve in the cylinder 50 will be operated and the piston rod 51, and hence the hopper 27, will be forced rearwardly and out of the way of the bricks. \Vhen the end plate is in position to form the forward ends of the molds the arm 57 is forced forwardly and the valve of the cylinder 50 is operated to force the hopper 27 forwardly to deliver a new supply of cen'ient.

The tampers 18 may be operated in any ordinary manner, for instance by means of arms 62 listed to a shaft 63 which is op erated by a pulley 64;. As the shaft 63 is rotated the wheels 65, mounted on the outer ends of the arms, come in contact with. the projecting arms 66, which are fixed to the respective tamper rods 67, and the rods are successively elevated and released and the tamping is thus carried out. When it is desired to stop tampingr, the blades 68 are rotated to the positions indicated in Fig. 2, by means of an arm 70, and the blades by means of the collars 71 fixed to the rods (37, hold the tampers in elevated positions.

However, in order to provide more room for processing the upper surfaces of the bricks, I provide means for elevating all of the tampers a material distance after the tamping operation has ceased. These means comprise a lever 74 having a fulcrum 72 pivoted on the wall of the chan'iber 30, or in any other suitable manner. The arms 73 of this lever is pivoted to the shaft 75 which supports the blades 68, and, as the outer arm of the lever 74!; is forced downwardly, the blades, 68, carrying with them the tempers, will be ele ated. To limit the downward movei'nnt of the arm 73, a stop 76 may be provided. a

, The lever 74 may be operated in any suitable manner. I prefer, however, to operate it by, means of the cylinder 50 substantially simultaneously with the operation of the hopper 27. To produce this result I provide an arm 77 fixed to the bar 55, which,

as the bar moves rearwardly, carries with it the arm 78 of a lever 80; and thus, by means of a link 81 pivoted to the levers 74; and 80, the tempers will be elevated; so that whenever the hopper 27 is moved out of the way of the upper surface of the bricks the tampers will be elevated to any desired point such as that indicated by the dotted lines, Fig. 2. At the same time, when the hopper is moved forwardly to its position over the molds, the arm 78 will be allowed to move forwardly and thus the tempers, by virtue of their weight, will be lowered to the position indicated in Fig. And when the tampers are to be operated it is necessary only to pull forwardly the arm so as to release the collars 71 from the blades 68.

Any suitable means may be provided for supplyiiiig the oilunder suitable pressure to the cylinders. The pressure of the oil should be subject to adjustment for the needs of the particular cylinder and the particular work .in hand. I prefer to provide for the purpose a pump and pressure controllers 86. As the oil. is used in the cylinders it is passed out of the exhaust pipes 87 into the eivhaust tank 88. From this tank the oil passes to the inlet of the pump 85, and, by means of the pump, it is forced. upwardly through pipes 79 to the various cylinders. The proper pressure for each cylinder is obtained by supplying to the supply pipe of each cylinder a suitable pressure controller 86, or the pressure of the entire system may be controlled by any suitable controlling means.

It will thus be seen that I provide means which are mainly power operated and automatic for operating the various mo able devices of the machine. In order to throw the mold blades forward or backward it is necessary only to operate properly the lever In order to operate the rest of the mechanism it is necessary only to operate the lever 57. And the front plate 12 may be ele ated by the cylinder t3 by means of the pedal 15.

Although I have described herein in some detail the particular power means which I prefer for operating the mechanism, yet it to be understood that other suitable power means could he used, and also changes in other details could be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as disclosed by the claims herein set forth.

Fins. 5 and 6 of the drawings illluitrate a modified form of the machine which is more automatic in its operation. \Vhile in general the elements of this modified form of machine is substantially the same as the machine hereinabove described, yet the operating' mechanism is articulated in such a mannor that the entire mechanism manually ill) ill

controlled, by only two elements. These .e'lementsrcompose alever 182 for initiallysetting in operation the tampers and a rod 181 which initially sets in operation the blades of the molds by means of the cylinder 108.

The entire operation is as follows: Assmn- .ing the tampers of the machine to be operating, when the tamping is sufficient theoperator pulls downwardly the arm 180 of the lever 182 and this releases the arm 188 of the LlGVfiI 8a, and allows the spring 185 to force the :blades 186 under the collars 87 of the tamper rods. This step stops the oper tion of the tampcrs as hereinabove described.

If .desired, the operator may .allow the ma chine to remain inoperative in this position with the tempers raised above the hopper. If, however, he desires to continue operations he merely pulls the arm 180 down further and, by means of a link 188, slidably associated with the arm 89, he forces the valve rod 90 of the cylinder 91 backwardly, and, as hereinabove described, the piston stem 92 is moved .rearwardly, carrying with it the portable .hopper98 and placing it under the chute .94.

However, as the hopper 93 moves rearwanelly, as 'hereinabove explained a 111g 95 fixed to the hopper will operate the lever 96, and will thus move the tampers upwardly by means of the lever 97. Also as the hopper moves rea-rward'ly a rotatably mounted ling er 98 operates an arm "99. This arm, by

means of a rod 100., a lever 101, and a rod 102, forces upwardly the end plate 103, sub stantially in the same manner as the cylinder 13 Iorces upwardly the end plate 12 of the machine hereinabove described. About the time that the end plate has been forced upwardly the arm 99, by means of a pin 105 playing-in a slot 106 of the rod 181, forces the arm 7 rearwardly, and this carries with it the valve of the cylinder 108. In this manner the frame 109, carrying the blades of the molds, is forced rearwardly as hereinabove described.

The machine will then come to rest with the hopper and blades in the rearward positions. If the :operator desires to continue operations he then pulls forwardly the rod 7 181, causing the cylinder 108 to push for- 7 end of the arm 99, and the arm is thus released so that the spring 115 can force downwardly the rod 102 out of the way of the end plate and the block. The linger 98 .as it moves forwardly again merely rotates upwardly out of the way of the arm 99.

As the frame 109 moves forwardly a 1'0- tatably mounted linger 11(3 pushes on the lower end of the arm 89 and forces this lever arm forwardly, carrying with it the valve rod 90 and operating the piston of the cylinder 91 so as to force the piston stem 92, and thus the hopper 9Z3, forwardly. The arrangement of the lower end of the arm 89 and the trip 110 is such that the two will pass out of coaction before the frame 109 reaches its forward position, so that the arm 89 is free to be moved rearwardly. Finger 118 rotates out of the way of the arm 89 as the finger moves rearwardly.

In this manner it will be seen that, by merely pulling downwardly the arm 180 the entire mechanism will be operated so as to throw rearwardly the hopper 98 and the blades of the molds, with the end plate 103 resting on the upper edges of the blades. The pallets 111 may be then removed and another one placed in position. And by pulling forwardly the rod 81 the entire mechanism will be operated to move the hopper and the blades forwardly to their normal positions and set the tampcrs l'o operati-ng.

If it is desired to disconnect the hopper mechanism from the mold mechanism, in order to process the surfaces of the bricks, or for any other reason, it is necessary only to turn the finger 98 upwardly and forwardly so that it will not coact with the arm 99, and the mechanism may be further disconnected by turning the linger 116 over out of the way of the arm 89. If it desired to process the forward ends of the bricks the end Plate may be disconnected from the arm 99, by removingthe rod 100, and the end plate may then be raised manually, or by any other suitable means.

It is desirable especially when the upper surface of the bricks are not processed to have means for smoothing or trowcling; these surfaces, and this may be provided for by means of a trowel 88 fixed to the front side of the hopper 27. This trowel may be made adjustable on the hopper so as to vary the height more or less, and by having a rounded inner corner and suitable trowcling' surface can be made to smooth the upper surface of the bricks, so as to leave them in a finished state.

I claim as my invention:

1. A block making machine comprising a frame, campers, a hopper slidably mounted on said frame, means for passing plastic material into said hopper, block molds mounted on said machine, means for sliding said hopper forwardly and rearwardly, and means for elevating said tampers as said hopper is slid rearwardly.

molds, said molds having a removable end plate, and means for elevating said end plate on to said molds.

3. A block making machine comprising a frame, block molds mounted on said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said endplate being pivotally connected to said machine and means for elevating said end plate above said molds.

a. A block making machine comprising a frame, block molds mounted 011 said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said end plate being pivot ally connected to said machine and means for elevating said end plate above said molds, and means tending to position said elevated end plate on said molds.

5. A block making machine comprising a frame, block moles mounted on said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said end plate being pivotally connected to said machine and means for elevating said end plate above said molds, and means tending to position said elevated end plate on said molds, said means comprising resilient means for forcing said end plate towards said molds.

6. A block making machine comprising a frame, block molds mounted on said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said end plate being pivotally connected to said machine, means for elevating said end plate above said molds, and means tending to position said elevated end plate on said molds, said means comprising resilient means for forcing said end plate towards said molds, and means for tilting said end plate 011 said molds.

7. A block making machine comprising a frame, block molds mounted on said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said end plate being pivotally connected to said machine, and means for elevating said end plate above said molds, said means comprising a hydraulic cylinder for elevating said end plate.

8. In a block forming machine, a mold, a sli'dably mounted hopper and a slidably mounted tamper and common power means for simultaneously moving said hopper horizontally and said tamper vertically.

9. In a block forming machine a mold, a slidably mounted hopper and a slidably mounted tamper, and means fixed with reference to said hopper for raising said tamper vertically as said hopper moves horiontally, and means for releasing said tamper from said raisingnieans.

10. A block molding machine comprising i a mold, a movablymounted hopper for filling saidmold, a movable mounted tamper for tamping in said molds, and means set in motion by the ll'lOVGl'IlGIlt of said hopper for moving said tamper.

11. A brick making machine comprising a series of molds, means for forming bricks in said molds, means for exposing the forward ends of said bricks for processing purposes, and common means for forming the ends of the molds and for protecting the up per portions of said bricks from injury while the said ends are being processed.

12. A block making machine COHIPIiSlIio a frame, block molds mounted on said frame, the front of said molds comprising a removable end plate, said end plate hein pivotally connected to said machine and means for elevating said end plate above said molds, anda pallet forming the bot tom of said molds, said end plate normally being positioned. on the edge of said pallet.

13. In a block forming machine a mold, a movable end plate normally forming one end of said mold, and means pivotally connecting the ends of said plate with the re spective sides of said molds.

14;. In a block forming machine a series of molds, a movable end plate forming one end of said molds, and means pivotally con.- necting the ends of said plate with the outer sides of said series of molds, said plate being movably mounted with reference to said .connecting means.

15. In a block forming machine a series of molds, a movable end plate forming one end of each of said molds, means pivotally connecting said plate with the sides of said molds, and means yieldingly tending to force said plate towards said connecting means.

16. In a block forming machine a series of molds, a movable end plate forming one end of each of said molds, and means pivotally connecting said plate with the sides of said molds, said plate being movably mounted with reference to said pivoting means, and means yieldingly tending to maintain a predetermined angle between said plate and said connecting means.

17. In a block forming machine a frame, a hopper slidably mounted on said frame, means for passing plastic material into said hopper, a mold mounted on said frame, means for moving said. hopper over said mold, and for removing it from over said mold, and means fixed to said hopper for troweling the upper surface of the material in said mold as said hopper is removed, said. troweling means comprising an L-shaped bar mounted on the lower forward edge of said hopper.

18. In a block forming machine a frame, a hopper sli'dably mounted on said frame, means for passing plastic material into said hopper, a mold mounted: on said frame, means: for moving said hopper over said mold and for removing it from. over said mold, means fixed tosaid hopper for troweling'the upper surface of the material in said comprising tamper elevating means, means for holding said. tamper above said operating means, and other means for further elevating said tamper.

'; a block making machine, a movable hopper and tamping means, power meansfor operatingsaid tampering means, meansfor m'ovingsaid hopper, and single manual means for simultaneously stopping the operation of said tamper and for setting operation said 'hopper moving means.

21:. In a block molding machine a movable hopper and movable mold element-s, means for operating said hopper, and means for operating said elements, said latter means being set inoperation by the said hopper moving means.

22. In a block making machine, amovable hopper and a mold, said mold having a movable front plate and movable side plates,

means for moving said hopper, and means set in motion by said hopper moving means for operating said front plate and said side plates.

23. In a block malring machine a movable hopper, and a mold having a: movable side plate, mechanism for operating said side plate, and means set in operation by said side plate for operating said movable hopper.

24. Ina block making machine a mova'hle hopper, and a mold having a movable side plate, mechanism for operating saidside plate, means set inoperation by said side plate for operating said mo a-hie hopper, said means for operating said hopper comprising amovable member" which is operative in one position but is inoperative when moved to another position.

25-. In a block forming machine a frame, a hopper slidably mounted on said frame, means for passing plastic material into said hopper, a mold mounted on said frame. means for moving said. hopper over said mold, and for removing it from over said mold, and means fixed tosaid hopper for scraping the upper surface of the material in saidmold as said hopper is removed, said means comprising a bar' havinga wide fla-t horizontal surface arranged to pass over the upper surface of the Block being formed in said mold.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand.

ARNQILD J. HESKETTL 

